A permanent public artwork celebrating local narratives has been revealed on the footbridge at Bicester North Station.

The initiative, named Tracks of Our Lives, features drawings drawn from personal recollections contributed by local people, regular travellers, volunteers and families who pass through the station.

These accounts were collected via interviews, discussions with passengers and community engagement activities carried out throughout the surrounding area.

The scheme was overseen by the Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership and financed through Chiltern Railways’ Community Investment Fund, which backs ventures that provide social, economic and environmental advantages along the Chiltern line. Additional funding came from Community Rail Network.

Francesca Esme Morris, one of the artists involved, was present at the unveiling on Tuesday, March 24, when poet Jonny Fluffypunk delivered live performances from the collection.

Michael Stewart, commercial and customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, stated that the artwork bursts with colour and captures wonderful railway memories from Bicester residents. He added that the company takes pride in supporting such ventures through its Community Investment Fund, assisting social and cultural projects across their routes.

Alongside the installation, a booklet of community stories and an audio display have been produced, accessible as free downloads via the OxCRP website.

Alayne McDonald, community rail development manager at Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership, noted that railways feature in ordinary moments both significant and minor, and Tracks of Our Lives honours these through tales, verse, artwork and sound. She expressed pleasure at marking the completion alongside Chiltern Railways and confirmed that OxCRP continues dedicated to collaborating with local communities to improve station surroundings, establishing lively, welcoming and motivating areas that represent the populations they serve.